Terms of Reference (ToR) for Final Evaluation Solukhumbu Women’s Health Project (SWHP)



Terms of Reference (ToR) for

Final Evaluation

Solukhumbu Women’s Health Project (SWHP)

Action for Nepal (AF Nepal) and the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF) are seeking the services of a skilled evaluation consultant to undertake a final, external evaluation of their four-year Solukhumbu Women’s Health Project (SWHP). Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program and AHF, the project began in August 2021 and is scheduled to conclude in June 2025.

A. Project Summary

The project aimed to improve maternal and child health (MCH) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes for women in remote Solukhumbu communities through a series of targeted interventions. The project focuses on strengthening local health governance and management, and enhancing the availability, quality, accessibility and inclusiveness of Maternal and Child Health and Sexual Reproductive Health services in selected rural municipalities and wards of Solukhumbu District. It works with different tiers of health stakeholders from local government health facilities and community representatives.

The project has also implemented a telehealth program, including telemedicine and laboratory services and training to local health workers, to reduce referrals and  promote more accessible and better health services for the communities, with a particular focus on women, especially pregnant and postpartum mothers.

Support was provided to integrate GEDSI and safeguarding considerations into the project, in order to ensure access to healthcare for vulnerable populations and to promote the safeguarding of children.

The project has six outcomes:

Outcome 1: Health facilities are well-equipped, supplied, staffed, and managed, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health.

Outcome 2: Increased capacity and attendance of health staff and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs).

Outcome 3: Enhanced access to women's health services.

Outcome 4: Improved disability inclusion and child safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation abuse and harassment practices.

Outcome 5: Project sustainability is promoted, and project management is strengthened.

Outcome 6: Reduced referrals of community members, including for sexual and reproductive health.

B. About the Australian Himalayan Foundation – Responsible for overall grant Management of this project 

AHF is based in Sydney and was founded in 2002. AHF works with local partners in Bhutan, India and Nepal to:

• Improve access to education and develop quality and inclusive education programs
• Ensure healthy lives and promote children’s well-being
• Support Climate Change adaptation, improve environmental and wildlife conservation
• Preserve and promote Himalayan cultural traditions.
• Safeguard vulnerable groups and promote inclusion and gender equality.
• Strengthen capacity of our development partners to implement best practice and sustainable development programs, and to respond to crises.

AHF has provided funding for the project, liaised with donors and supported Action for Nepal in project monitoring and safeguarding.

C. About Action for Nepal – Implementing Agency for this project 

AF Nepal is a non-profit organization based in Nepal, committed to advancing development in remote communities through improved health, education, and local empowerment. In collaboration with the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF), AF Nepal has been implementing the Solukhumbu Women’s Health Project (SWHP) in Mapya Dudhkoshi RM, Mahakulung RM, and Solududhkunda Municipality in Solukhumbu District.

Click on the link below for detailed TOR:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yYpc_edGdSb2mXl2BsjnJ197Bhgn1vNj/view?usp=sharing

Application submissions

Proposals should be written in English and should be no longer than 5 pages, including CVs and budget. In addition, an example piece of work should be attached to the application.

Interested consultants/consulting firms should submit the following documents with their expression of interest (EoI):

• Letter of expression of interest.
• Short overview of how the candidate meets the qualifications, experience and skills requirements (no more than one page) 
• Technical and financial proposals (in separate files).
• Firm's profile detailing past assignments (including at least one project evaluation report).
• CVs of all team members highlighting their areas of work and experience in health.
• Company documents if applicable
• VAT / Pan registration certificate (for both firms and individual consultants).

Deadline for Proposal Submission

Proposals must be submitted by 1700 hours (COB) on 28 November 2024 via email to the following address:

Action for Nepal: actionfnepal@gmail.com; Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal, Phone: 01-4915979 and copy to AHF Head of Program: corinne@ahf.org.au and AHF MEAL Specialist shusil@ahf.org.au

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further evaluation.